Innovation Powered by Women: At EWA Demo Day in Warsaw
At the EWA Demo Day 2025 in Warsaw, women founders proved once again that innovation in agrifood is thriving. Ten early-stage entrepreneurs presented bold solutions addressing sustainability, health, and the future of food.
On 25 November, the Demo Day of the Empowering Women in Agrifood programme took place in the PKO Rotunda in Warsaw—a special event during which women founders of early-stage startups presented their ideas shaping the future of the food and agrifood sectors.
The EWA programme, delivered by EIT Food in 2025 across thirteen European countries, supports women developing agrifood innovations. It offers a six-month cycle of training, mentoring and networking, as well as a chance to receive financial support for the growth of their projects. The Polish edition of this prestigious programme was organised—for the second year in a row—by Startup Hub Poland, a Warsaw-based foundation supporting innovators.
Demo Day marked the finale of half a year of work by the programme’s finalists on the development of their business projects. Throughout the programme they took part in expert-led meetings and workshops. During a matchmaking session, for example, they worked with lawyers from DZP law firm on intellectual property protection and learned about agricultural regulatory frameworks. At Startup Hub Poland, they honed their public-speaking skills. They also participated in a Masterclass and took part in trainings on the fundamentals of building an innovative company—all under the guidance of ten individually matched mentors.
Insights From the EWA 2025 Demo Day in Warsaw
All these activities led the finalists to the November Demo Day, where months of hard work, learning and experimentation converged on stage. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Alicja Krakowska, EWA Programme Manager, who greeted the audience gathered in the packed Rotunda on behalf of EIT Food. In her speech, she highlighted the crucial role women play in shaping the future of the agrifood sector and the growing need for inclusive innovation.
Two exceptional speakers further set the tone for the day. Olga Adamkiewicz—business leader, entrepreneur and social activist—delivered a powerful keynote on breaking barriers, navigating the often challenging paths women face in business, and cultivating inner strength. Later, Maria Sikorska, President of the “Liderki Innowacji” Association, inspired the audience with her talk, “Role Models: Entrepreneurial Women From the Agro World!”, showcasing female leadership and ambition in agrifood.
At the heart of Demo Day were the business presentations of ten programme participants. Each founder introduced an innovative and practical solution designed to improve the future of the agrifood sector. From sustainability-driven technologies to health-oriented food products, their early-stage projects illustrated how the transformation of the food system is already emerging—towards one that is more sustainable, healthier and more inclusive.
Following the pitches, a panel discussion titled “Test, Implement, Scale – How to Introduce Innovation into the Agrifood Sector?” brought together voices from both the entrepreneurial and expert communities. Former EWA finalists Paulina Grabowska (NASDRA Institute) and Renata Krysiak (VegeLIO) shared their experiences of scaling innovation, while ecosystem experts Michał Piosik (investor and managing director at foodtech.ac) and Maciej Sadowski, longtime EWA mentor, offered insights into market readiness, investment pathways and real-world implementation.
Meanwhile, the Jury—Admir Berbiu, Zygmunt Grajkowski, Maciej Paszewski, Anna Kurnatowska and Patrycja Śrótwa—deliberated intensely before selecting two outstanding participants to receive this year’s awards.
Celebrating the Winners: Innovation Recognised at EWA Demo Day 2025
The Jury awarded second place and EUR 5,000 to Nina Bażela for Antyszpak, an intelligent crop-protection system powered by AI and laser technology. Her solution helps farmers protect their fields more effectively while simultaneously supporting biodiversity—an example of how innovation can serve both productivity and the environment.
First place (EUR 10,000) went to Katarzyna Jaworska for Bloomen, a project that started by exploring the health benefits of sunflower roots and evolved into the production of fully compostable packaging made from sunflower stems. Her vision demonstrates how agricultural by-products can be transformed into sustainable, scalable materials with the potential to reshape the packaging industry.
Following the announcement of the winners, the Rotunda came alive with an atmosphere of excitement and connection. The space quickly transformed into a dynamic networking arena—filled with congratulations, shared reflections and discussions about future plans. The energy of the finalists and the power of their ideas lingered long after the event concluded, with many participants remarking that “you could truly feel the mission of the innovators on stage.”
About StartUp Hub Poland
StartUp Hub Poland (SHP) is a non-profit organization based in Warsaw with 12 years of experience supporting high-tech startups in Central-Eastern Europe. SHP helps early-stage startups (pre-seed to early Series A) develop their technology, build teams, protect IP, and access funding, grants, and relevant programmes in Poland. The organization connects startups with investors, corporations, and a global network, providing equity-free support through various acceleration and incubation formats. SHP's mission is to build a regional innovation hub, create high-tech brands, and promote Poland as an innovative destination for global commerce.
Learn more about StartUp Hub Poland on their webpage.
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